Target.



J. VERTUNNI.

TARGET.

APPLICATION FILED APR- I2. I9I5.

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J. VERTUNNI.

TARGET.

APPLICATION mit) APR. 12. 1915.

1,1 61,171 Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

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JOSEPH VERTUNNI, 0F LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA.

TARGET.

Application filed April 12, 1915.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOSEPH VERTUNNI, a citizen of the United States, residing at Long Beach, in the Vcounty of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Targets.

My invention relates to targets, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a target which will automatically register and indicate the number of hits scored thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide means wherebyan element of chance may be introduced so as to make shooting at the target an interesting occupation for even a poor marksman.

In the ordinary use of targets an expertv marksman has a great advantage over a poor one and in general poor marksmen do not care to try their skill at a target. By introducing an element of chance it is possible for even a poor marksman to make a good score, and such a target will have a much larger patronage than one which depends wholly on mere skill.

Further objects and advantages will be evident hereinafter.

In the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only: Figure l is a front view of the target. Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the plane a02-m2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 3 isa section on the plane .r3-w3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 is a section on the plane v4- m4 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing the ratchet mechanism in the top of the target. Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing the ratchet mechanism in the bottom of the target.

The target consists essentially of a grotesque figure, which may be the figure of a man, as illustrated therefor if desired. This target may be shot at by firearms or other projectile throwing means, or may be used as a baseball target if desired.

It consists essentially of a target field 11 having a bulls-eye therebehind, a hit registering device consisting of an indicating arm 12 and a series of stationary numbers, and a chance stopped register consisting of a spinning disk 13 with a series of numbers marked thereon, and means by which one of said numbers is particularly designated.

The structureemployed consists of a back `plate 20 anda front plate 21, thebackvplate- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 23, 1915. serial No. 20,980.

21 being supported from a structure 22, the front plate being supported on the structure 22 by screws 23 and being secured to the back plate by bolts 24 and spacers 25. A face plate 26 is secured to the front plate 21 by means of angle iron members 27. A head shaft 30 turns freely in ya bearing 31 secured to the back plate 20 and in a bearing 32 secured to the face plate 26. Keyed on this shaft 30-is a cam 33 having projections 34 formed thereon, these projections engaging a pin 35-formed on an arm 36 pivoted on a pin 37 which is secured tothe face plate 26, and the arm 36 has enlarged portions 39 which are alternately dropped back of the eye openings 38 as the projections 34 raise and lower the pin 35. Gas pipe 40 supplies two burners 41 which may be lighted so that the eye openings 38 are illuminated, one eye and the other being alternately closed so that the gure apparently winks as a hit is made.

Mounted on a casting 45 is the spinning plate 13, this plate being loaded by means of a heavy ring 47 sothat it acts like a heavy fly wheel. An indicating pointer 48 is formed on the face plate 26 extending up and pointing to one of a series of numbers 49 formed on the spinning plate 13. Formed on the casting 45 is a double ratchet 50 having teeth 51 and 52 on either side thereof. A pawl 53 is secured in a pawl casting 54 which is screwed into the front plate 21, the pawl being normally held in engagement with the teeth 51 by means of a spring 55, this pawl 53 and the teeth 51 being so shaped that the spinning plate 13 is free to turn in a negative direction as shown by the arrow 56 in Fig. 1, but is restrained from turning in the opposite or positive direction.

Rigidly secured on the head shaft 30 is a casting 60 which carries at its upper end a pawl 6l which is normally held in engagement with the teeth 52 by a spring 62, the pawl 61 and the teeth 52 being so shaped that'the. casting 60 can drive the spinning plate 13 in the direction of the arrow 56 but will slide freely thereover without actuating the plate 13 when the shaft 30 is turned in the opposite direction tothe arrow 56. A head sprocket 70 is forn'ied on the casting 60 and a chain 71 passes thereover. counter weight7 2 is secured in the chain 71, this chain passing downwardly and over a foot sprocket 73 which turns freely on a tube` 74 rigidlysecuredin the back plate 20 .andthe frontv plate 21. fA lower ratchet wheel is rigidly secured to the sprocket 73 having teeth 76 formed in one face thereof, these teeth being engaged by a pawl 77 carried on a bolt 78 which slides freely in the back plate 20 and the front plate 21, the pawl 77 being normally held in engagement with the teeth 76 by means of a compression spring 79 which presses against the front plate 21 and a collar 80 secured on the bolt 7 8, the head 81 of the bolt 78 limiting a movement of that bolt. The teeth 76 and the pawl 77 form a positive rotation ratchet means resisting the tendency of the weight 72 to fall and move the lower sprocket 75 in a positive direction as shown by the arrow 82 shown inV Fig. 4, and to move the shaft 30 in a positive direction as shown by the arrow 56. A member 83 is secured in the chain 71 carrying a pin 84 which extends through a slot 85 formed in the front plate 21 and engages and supports the pointerV 12. The pointer 12 is pivoted at 86 to an upper arm member 87 which in turn is pivoted at 88 to the face plate 26. A. pin 89 is secured to the member 83 and a resetting rope 90 is secured thereon passing downwardly and over a pulley 91 which turns freely on the collar 74. The rope 90 extends over suitable pulleys, not shown, to the head of the shooting gallery in such a position that it can be readily operated by the proprietor of the gallery.

A target plate 92 is supported on brackets 93 from the front plate 21 and has a bulls-eye opening 94 therein. Directly back of the bulls-eye opening is a bulls-eye 95, this bulls-eye being carried on a pin 96 which extends through the tube 74 and which engages a lever 97 pivoted on a pin 98 in a bracket 99 which is secured to they back of the back plate 20. The lower end of the lever 97 extends downwardly and engages a pin 100 carried by the bolt 78. A series of indicating marks 101 are made on the front of the plate 21 adjacent to thev slot 85 in such a position that they may be indicated by the marker 12.

The method of operation of the invention is as follows: The weight 72 being at its xtreme upper position and the cord 90 being slack, the shooter aims at the plate 11 and more particularly at the bulls-eye opening 94. Should his projectile strikev the bulls-eye 95 the pin 96 is forced back striking against the lever 97 and forcing the bolt 78 forward. This forces the pawl 77 out of engagement with the tooth 76, and the weight 72 starts the sprocket 75 in operation in a positive direction as shown by the arrow shown at 103 in Fig. 6, or in a positive direction as shown by the arrow 82 shown in Fig. 4,: this turning the shaft 30 in a positive direction or opposite to the arrow 56.A The spring 79 is made of suiiicient strength to almost instantly return the pin 96 to its original position, but in this interval one of the teeth 76 escapes from the pawl 7 7 the pawl 77 engaging the succeeding tooth. The numbers 101 are so spaced that the marker 12 moves upwardly from one number to the next in the interval of one tooth on the ratchet 75. It is thus seen that every time the bulls-eye block 95 is struck, the marker 12 indicates the fact by registering a number in the series 101. The spinning plate 13 is held rigidly in position during this movement of the marker 12 by the ratchet 53. In ordinary shooting gallery practice the shooter is given sixteen shots for a given sum, usually twenty-five cents. He shoots at the bullseye block 95 sixteen times and should he register sixteen hits the marker 12 will, so indicate on the numbers 101 and be will be entitled to a. prize. If he should register a smaller number of hits, say ten hits, he still has an opportunity to win the prize, due to the element of chance introduced as follows: Immediately after he has shot his sixteen shots the operator pulls sharply on the rope 90, pulling downwardly on the member 38 and'resetting the marker 12 to the numeral 0 of the series 101. This rotates the head shaft 30 in the direction of the arrow 56 and the spinning plate 13 is pulled around in this direction by means of the pawl 62. As the spinning plate turns freely on the head shaft 30 and as it has considerable weight, due to the plate 47, the spinning plate turns rapidly making several revolutions. The pointer 48 successively registers the numbers 49, the plate finally stopping with this pointer adjacent to one of these numbers. Should this number be such that when added to the number of hits scored by the marksman it equals sixteen the marksman will still get a prize. For example, if he has registered ten hits on the target and the number registered on the spinning plate 13 be six, he would still get the prize, ten and six equaling sixteen.

The target may be used in other ways, the above being simply a convenient method of using it.

It is to be noted that the target is so arranged that the resetting of the primary marker 12 actuates the spinning plate 13 so that there can be no deception of the operation of the spinning plate.

I claim as my invention:

1. A target device comprising a fixed structure, a bulls-eye carried byisaid structure, a hit registering device, means by which said hit registering device scores the hits made, a resetting means for said hit registering device, a chance stopped register, and means by'whi'ch the actuation of the resetting device starts said register.

2. A target 'devicel comprising a fixed structure representing a living figure, a

bulls-eye carried by said structure, a hit registering device comprising a movable arm having a finger pointing to a series of numbers, means by which said hit registering device scores the hits made, a resetting means for said hit registering device, a chance stopped register, and means by which the actuation of the resetting' device starts said register.

3. A target device comprising a fixed structure representing a living figure having eye openings in the head thereof, means for illuminating said eye openings, means by which said eye openings are opened and closed as hits are made, a bulls-eye carried by said structure, a hit registering device comprising a movable arm having a finger pointing` to a series of numbers, means by which said hit registering device scores the hits made, a resetting means for said hit registering device, a chance stopped register, and means by which the actuation of the resetting device starts said register.

4. A target device comprising a supporting structure, a head shaft turning in said.

structure, a head sprocket fixed to said shaft, a tube fixed in said structure, a foot sprocket turning freely on said tube, an endless chain passing over both of said sprockets, a weig'ht inserted in said chain in such a manner as to tend to rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, positive rotation ratchet means for resisting movement of said chain in a positive direction only, a hit registering device attached to said chain, a bulls-eye, and means whereby said bulls-eye releases said positive rotation ratchet means to allow said chain to actuate said hit registering device.

5. A target device comprising a supporting structure, a head shaft turning in said structure, a head sprocket fixed to said shaft, a tube fixed in said structure, a foot sprocket turning freely on said tube, an. endless chain passingvovcr both of said sprockets, a weight inserted in said chain in such a. manner as to tend to rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, positive rotation ratchet means for resisting movement of said chain in a positive direction only, a hit registering device attached to said chain, a bulls-eye, a ratchet wheel fixed to said foot sprocket, a positive rotation ratchetl adapted to prevent rotation of said foot ratchet wheel in a positive direction, and means whereby a blow on said bulls-eye causes said ratchet to release one tooth on said ratchet wheel.

6. A target device comprising a supporting structure, a head shaft turning in said structure, a head sprocket fixed to said shaft, a tube fixed in said structure, a foot sprocket turning freely in said tube, an endless chain passing over both of said sprockets, a weight inserted in said chain in such a manner as to tend to rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, positive rotation ratchet means for resisting movement of said chain in a positive direction only, a hit registering device. attached to said chain, a. bulls-eye, a ratchet wheel fixed to said foot sprocket, a positive rotation ratchet adapted to prevent rotation of said foot ratchet wheel in a positive direction, a pin passing through said tube and having said bulls-eye fixed on the forward end thereof, and means whereby said pin releases said positive rotation ratchet so that said chain can actuate said hit registering device.

7. A target device comprising a supporting structure, a head shaft turning in said structure, a head sprocket fixed to said shaft, a tube fixed in said structure, a foot sprocket turning freely in said tube, an endless chain passing over both of said sprockets, a weightI inserted in said chain in such a manner as to tend to rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, positive rotation ratchet means for resisting movement of said chain in a positive direction only, a hit registering device attached to said chain, a bulls-eye, a ratchet wheel fixed to said foot sprocket, a positive rotation ratchet adapted to prevent rotation of said foot ratchet wheel in a positive direction, a pin passing through said tube and having said bulls-eye fixed on the forward end thereof, and a lever pivoted on a pin carried by said structure, said lever being so connected between said pin and Said positive rotation ratchet that a blow on said bulls-eye releases said positive rotation ratchet thereby allowing said weight to drive said chain and actuatev said hit registering device.

8. A target device comprising a supporting structure, a head shaft turning in said structure, a head sprocket fixed to said shaft. a tube fixed in said structure, a foot sprocket turning freely on said tube, an endless chain passing over both of said sprockets, a weight inserted in said chain in such a manner as to tend to rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, resetting means for pulling said weight to its initial position by turning said sprockets in a negative direction, positive rotation ratchet means for resisting movement of said chain in a positive direction only, a hit registering device attached to said chain, a bulls-eye, and means whereby said bulls-eye releases said positive rotation ratchet means to allow said chain to actuate said hit registering device.

9. A target device comprising a supporting structure, a head shaft turning in said structure, a head sprocket fixed to said shaft, a tube fixed in said structure, a foot sprocket turning freely on said tube, an endless chain passing over both of said sprockets, a weight inserted in said chain in such a manner as to tend to rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, resetting means forv pulling saidweight to its initial position by turning said sprockets in a negative direction, positive lOO llO

liti

rotation ratchet means for resisting movement of said chain in a positive direction only, a hit registering device attached to said chain, a bulls-eye, a ratchet wheel fixed to said foot sprocket, a positive rotation ratchet adapted to prevent rotation 0f said foot ratchet wheel in a positive direction, and means whereby a blow on said bulls-eyo causes said ratchet to release one tooth on said ratchet wheel.

1f). A target device comprising a supporting structure, a head shaft turning in said structure, a head sprocket fixed to said shaft, a tube fixed in said structure, a foot sprocket turning freely in said tube, an endless chain passing over both of said sprockets, a weight inserted in said chain in such a manner as to tend to rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, resetting means for pulling said weight to its initial position by turning said sprockets in a negative direction,positive rotation ratchet means for resisting movement of said chain in a positive direction only, a hit registering device attached to said chain, bullis-eye, a ratchet wheel fixed to said foot sprocket, a positive rotation ratchet adapted to prevent rotation of said foot ratchet wheel in a positive direction, a pin passing through said tube and having said bulls-eye fixed on the forward end thereof, and means whereby said pin releases said positive rotation ratchetso that said chain can actuate said hit registering device.

l1. A target device comprising a supporting structure, a head shaft turning in said structure, a head sprocket fixed to said shaft, a tube fixed in said structure, a foot sprocket turning freely in said tube, an endless chain passing over both of said sprockets, ay weight inserted in said chain in such a manner as to tend to rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, resetting means for pulling said weight to its initial position by turning said sprocket-s in a negative direction, positive rotation ratchet means for reisting movement of said chain in a posi.- tive direction only, a hit registering d vice attached to said chain, a bulls-eye, a ratchet wheel fixed to said foot sprocket, a positive rot-ation ratchet adapted to prevent rotation of said foot ratchet wheel in a positive direction, a pin passing through said tube and having said bulls-eye fixed on the forward end thereof, and a lever pivoted on a pin carried by said structure, said lever being so connected between said pin and said positive rotation ratchet that a blow on said bulls-eye releases said positive rotation ratchet thereby allowing said weight to drive said chain and actuate said hit registering device.

12. A target device comprising a supporting structure, a head `shaft turning in said structure, a head sprocket fixed to said shaft, a tube fixed in said structure, a foot sprocket turning freely on said tube, an endless chain passing over both of said sprockets, a weight inserted in said chain in such a manner as to tend to rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, positive rotation ratchet means for resisting movement of said chain in a positive direction only, a hit registering device attached to said chain, a chance stopped register turning freely in a negative direction on said head shaft, means by which a negative rotation of said head shaft starts said chance stopped register to rotating in a negative direction, means for preventing said chance stopped register from rotating in a positive direction1 a bulls-eye, and means whereby said bulls-eye releases said positive rotation ratchet means to allow said chain to aetuate said hit registering device.

13. A target device comprising a supportstructure, a head shaft turning in said structure, head sprocket fixed to said shaft, a tube fixed in said structure, a footl sprocket turning freely on said tube, an endess chain passing over both of said sprockets, a weight inserted in said chain in such a manner as to tend to rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, positive rotation ratchet means for resisting movement of said chain in a positive direction only, a hit registering device attached to said chain, a chance stopped register turning freely in a negative direction on said head shaft, means by which a negative rotation of said head shaft starts said chance stopped register to rotating in a negative direction, means for preventing said chance stopped register from rotating in a positive direction, a bulls-eye, a ratchet wheel fixed to sad foot sprocket, a positive rotation ratchet adapted to prevent rotation of said foot ratchet wheel in a positive direction, and means whereby a blow on said bulls-eye causes said ratchet to release one tooth on said ratchet wheel.

la. A target device comprising a supporting structure, a head shaft turning in said structure, a head sprocket fixed to said shaft, a tube fixed in said structure, a foot sprocket turning freely in said tube, an endless chain passing over both of said sprockets, a weight inserted in said chain in such a manner as to tend to rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, positive rotation ratchet means for resisting movement of said chain in a positive direction only, a hit registering device attached to said chain, a chance stopped register Vturning freely in a negative direction on said head shaft, means by which a negative rotation of said head shaft starts said chance stopped register to rotating in a negative direction, means for preventing said chance stopped register from rotating in a positive direction, a bulls-eye, a ratchet wheel fixed to said foot sprocket, a positive rotation ratchet adapted to prevent rotation of said foot ratchet wheel in a positive direction, a pin passing through said tube and having said bulls-eye fixed on the forward end thereof, and means whereby said pin releases said positive rotation ratchet so that said chain can actuate said hit registering device.

l5. A target device comprising a supporting structure, a head shaft turning in said structure, a head sprocket fixed to said shaft,

a tube fixed in said structure, a foot sprocket l turning freely in said tube, an endless chain passing over both of said sprockets, a weight inserted in said chain in such a manner as to tend to rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, positive rotation ratchet means for registering movement of said chain in a positive direction only, a hit registering device attached to said chain, a chance stopped register turning freely in a. negative direction on said head shaft, means by which a negative rotation of said head shaft starts said chance stopped register to rotating in a negative direction, means for preventing said chance stopped register from rotating in a positive direction, a bulls-eye, a ratchet wheel fixed to said foot sprocket, a positive rotation ratchet adapted to prevent rotation of said foot ratchet wheel in a positive direction, a pin passing through said tube and having said bulls-eye fixed on the forward end thereof, and a lever pivoted on a pin carried by said structure, said lever being so connected between said pin and said positive rotation ratchet that a blow on said bulls-eye releases said positive rotation ratchet thereby allowing said weight to drive said chain and actuate said hit registering device.

16. A target device comprising a supporting structure, a head shaft turning in said structure, a head sprocket fixed to said shaft, a tube fixed in said structure, a foot sprocket turning freely on said tube, an endless chain passing over both of said sprockets, a weight inserted in said chain in such a manner as to tend to rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, resetting means for pulling said weight to its initial position by turning said sprockets in a negative direction, positive rotation ratchet means forresisting movement of said chain in a positive direction only, a hit registering device attached to said chain, a chance stopped register turning freely in a negative direction on said head shaft, means by which a negative rotation of said head shaft starts said chance stopped register to rotating in a negative direction, means for preventing said chance stopped register from rotating in a positive direction, a bulls-eye, and means whereby said bulls-eye releases said positive rotation ratchet means to allow said chain to actuate said hit registering device. l

17. A target device comprising a supporting structure, a head shaft turning in said structure, a head sprocket fixed to said shaft, altube fixed in said structure, a foot sprocket turning freely on said tube, an endless chain passing over both of said sprockets, a weight inserted in said chain in such a manner as to tendto rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, resetting means for pulling said weight to its initial position by turning said sprockets in a negative direction, positive rotation ratchet means for resisting movement of said chain in a positive direction only, a hit registering device attached to said chain, a chance stopped register turning freely in negative direction on said head shaft, means by which a negative rotation of said head shaft starts said chance stopped register to rotatingl in a negative direction, means for preventing said chance stopped register from rotating in a positive direction, a bulls-eye, a ratchet wheel fixed to said foot sprocket, a positive rotation ratchet adapted to prevent rotation of said foot ratchet wheel in a positive direction, and means whereby a blow on said bulls-eye causes said ratchet to release one tooth on said ratchet wheel.

18. A target device comprising a supporting structure, a head shaft turning in said structure, a head sprocket fixed to said shaft, a tube fixed in said structure, a foot sprocket turning freely in said tube, an endless chain passing over both of said sprockets, a weight inserted in said chain in such a manner as to tend to rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, resetting means for pulling said weight to its initial position by turning said sprockets in a negative direction, positive rotation ratchet means for resisting movement of said chain in a positive direction only, a hit registering device attached to said chain, a chance stopped register turning freely in a negative direction on said head shaft, means by which a negative rotation of said head shaft starts said chance stopped register to rotating in a negative direction, means for preventing said chance stopped register from rotating in a positive direction, a bulls-eye, a ratchet wheel fixed to said foot sprocket, a positive rotation i ratchet adapted to prevent rotation of said foot ratchet wheel in a positive direction, a pin passing through said tube and having said bulls-eye fixed on the forward end thereof, and means whereby said pin releases said positive rotation ratchet so that said chain can actuate said hit registering device.

19. A target device comprising a supporting structure, a head shaft turning in said structure, a head sprocket fixed to said shaft, a tube fixed in said structure, a foot sprocket turning freely in said tube, an endless chain passing over both of said sprockets, a weight inserted in said chain in such a manner as to tend to rotate said sprockets in a positive direction, resetting ineans for pulling said weight to its initial position by turning said sprockets in a negative direction, positive rotation ratchet means for resisting movenient of said chain in a positive direction only, a hit registering device attached to said chain, a chance stopped register turning freely in a negative direction on said head shaft, means by which a negative rota tion of said head shaft starts said chance stopped register to rotating in a negative direction, means for preventing said chance stopped register from rotating 1n a positive direction, a bulls-eye, a ratchet wheel fixed to said foot sprocket, a positive rotation ratchet adapted to prevent rotation of said foot ratchet wheel in a positive direction,a pin passing through said tube and having said bulls-eye fixed on the forward end thereof, and a lever pivoted on a pin carried by said structure, said lever being so connected between said pin and said positive rotation ratchet that a blow on said bullseye releases said positive rotation ratchet thereby allowing said weight todrive said chain and actuate said hit registering device.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 5th day of April, 1915.

\ JOSEPH VERTUNNI Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patent- Washington, D. C. 

